Fusion proteins of pd-1 and 4-1bb

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising (a) an extracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1 or CD40L at its N-terminus; (b) a transmembrane domain; and (c) an intracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB or CD28 at its C-terminus.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in CRF format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said CRF copy, created on Oct. 29, 2021, and filed herewith, is identical to the Sequence Listing that was previously submitted in U.S. application Ser. No. 16/087,262 on Nov. 10, 2021, is named 298-008US_Updated_Sequence_Listing.txt and is 45,076 bytes in size. The Sequence Listing includes no new matter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fusion proteins comprising (a) an extracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1 or CD40L at its N-terminus; (b) a transmembrane domain; and (c) an intracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB or CD28 at its C-terminus. Also, fusion proteins with CD28 at the N-terminus and CD40L at the C-terminus are envisaged. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such fusion proteins, vectors containing such nucleic acid molecules, and host cells containing such vectors. The present invention further relates to methods for producing such host cells. Finally, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such fusion proteins, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and/or host cells, particularly for treating diseases or disorders associated with PD-1/PD-L2 or CD40 binding and/or PD-L1/PD-L2 or CD40 expression such as cancer and chronic viral infection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Adoptive transfer of tumor infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) is a promising therapy option against tumors (Rosenberg et al., Science (2015), 348: 62-68). Unfortunately, the isolation of TILs and their expansion is not possible with all tumor entities. Therefore, the concept of genetic engineering of T cells with a transgene T cell receptor (TCR) was developed (Hurwitz et al., Cancer Microenviron (2014), 7: 1-9). Yet, to this date, such T cells show short survival, and lose their function in patients (Janicki et al., Cancer Res (2008), 68: 2993-3000; Bai et al., PNAS USA (2008), 105: 13003-13008; Bendle et al., Cancer Res (2004), 64: 8052-8056; Anderson et al., J Immunol (2007), 178: 1268-1276). Co-stimulation of the TCR signalling cascade with co-stimulatory receptors such as CD28 can enhance proliferation, survival and cytotoxicity of the T cells (Chen et al., Nat Rev Immunol (2013), 13: 227-242). However, as epithelial tumors do not express ligands (CD80/86) of the co-stimulatory receptor CD28 and human effector T cells are themselves negative for such receptors, co-stimulation cannot take place in the conservative way. To provide co-stimulation to the T cells that is independent from this classical way, chimeric co-stimulatory receptors were created. They consist of the extracellular domain of the co-inhibitory receptor PD-1 (also known as CD279) and the signalling domain of CD28 (Ankri et al., J Immunol (2013), 4121-4129; Prosser et al., Mol Immunol (2012), 263-272; WO 2013/019615).

Usually, tumor specific T cell express PD-1 on the surface which then binds to its ligand PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells. This binding results in blocking of TCR-signalling and T cell activation, thus leading to inhibition of the tumor specific T cells. In order to co-stimulate TCR signalling (and, thus, to enhance T cell activation), stimulation of CD28 would be necessary; see above.

Chimeric co-stimulatory receptors comprising PD-1 and CD28 domains shall exhibit the relevant functions of both, the extracellular receptor function of PD-1 on the one hand, and the intracellular signalling function of CD28 on the other hand. In such chimeric constructs presented so far (Ankri, loc cit; Prosser, loc cit; WO 2013/019615), the transmembrane domains were taken from the respective signalling molecule.

However, although such constructs have been described to reduce PD-L1 mediated T cell inhibition and to enhance T cell activation, such constructs still leave room for further improvement.

This problem has been addressed by the present invention as described herein and as defined in the claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a fusion protein comprising

-   (a) an extracellular domain (ECD) containing a polypeptide derived     from PD-1 or CD40L at its N-terminus; -   (b) a transmembrane domain (TMD); and -   (c) an intracellular domain (ICD) containing a polypeptide derived     from 4-1BB or CD28 at its C-terminus.

Preferably, in accordance with the present invention, if the extracellular domain (ECD) contains a polypeptide derived from PD-1 at its N-terminus, the intracellular domain (ICD) contains a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB at its C-terminus and vice versa. Likewise, if the extracellular domain contains a polypeptide derived from CD40L at its N-terminus, the intracellular domain contains a polypeptide derived from CD28 at its C-terminus and vice versa. For fusions proteins with an ECD derived from CD40L and an ICD derived from CD28, it is also possible that the ICD is located N-terminally of the TMD, while the TMD is located at the very C-terminus of the fusion protein; cf. fusion proteins as exemplarily (and non-limiting) shown in FIG. 8 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the extracellular domain (a) contains a polypeptide derived from PD-1 at its N-terminus and a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB at its C-terminus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Compared to CD28, 4-1BB (CD137) is a co-stimulatory receptor present on a subset of T cells capable of augmenting TCR signaling. 4-1BB is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) superfamily and is absent in naïve T cells but induced following T cell stimulation and differentiation into effector cells (Cheuk at al., Cancer Gene Ther (2004), 11: 215-226). The intracellular domain of 4-1BB contains the QEE motif, which, upon ligation with 4-1BBL, expressed on APCs, recruits TNFR associated factor 2 (TRAF2) (Arch et al., Mol Cell Biol (1998), 18: 558-565; Nam et al., J Immunol (2005), 174: 1898-1905). TRAF2 activates MAPK pathways including ERK and activates nuclear translocation of NFκB (Watts, Annu Rev Immunol (2005), 23: 23-68). It thereby enhances cytokine production and T cell survival. Accordingly, the present invention provides fusion (also termed herein “chimeric”) proteins comprising or consisting of the extracellular domain (ECD) of PD-1 and the intracellular signaling domain (ICD) of 4-1BB.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a fusion protein is envisaged which comprises an ICD derived from CD28 at its N-terminus, a fragment of an ICD derived from CD40L, the TMD of CD40L, and the ECD from CD40L at its C-terminus (FIG. 8 ). In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 29.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a fusion (chimeric) protein comprising the extracellular domain (ECD) of CD40L and the intracellular signaling domain (LCD) of CD28. Expressed in T cells, it has been surprisingly found in context with the present invention that this chimeric protein exerts dual function when interacting with cells expressing its receptor CD40: In the T cell it is supposed to initiate the co-stimulatory pathway providing survival and enhanced effector activity (cis effect). In the interacting CD40 cells (trans effect), i.e. tumor cells, tumor endothelium it is supposed to cause cell death, and in the case that the interacting cell is an antigen presenting cells it is supposed to be able to induce secretion of cytokines (e.g.; IL-12) that further supports T cell activity (FIG. 7 ).

Generally, in context with the present invention, unless otherwise specified herein, fusion proteins comprising or consisting of the extracellular domain (ECD) derived from PD-1, a transmembrane domain (TMD), and the intracellular domain (ICD) derived from 4-1BB are also referred to herein as “PD-1:4-1BB” or “PD-1:BB”. Likewise, fusion proteins comprising or consisting of the extracellular domain (ECD) derived from PD-1, a transmembrane domain (TMD), and the intracellular domain (ICD) derived from CD28 are also referred to herein as “PD-1:CD28”. Likewise, fusion proteins comprising or consisting of the extracellular domain (ECD) derived from CD40L, a transmembrane domain (TMD), and the intracellular domain (ICD) derived from CD28 are also referred to herein as “CD40L:CD28” or “CD28:CD40L” (also referred to herein as “CD40L:CD28i” or “CD40L:CD28i” because of the inversed ICD of CD28; cf. also exemplary fusion protein embodiments as shown as variant 3) in FIG. 7 and evaluated in FIGS. 8 to 11 ) where the ICD of CD28 forms the N-terminus and the ECD of CD40L forms the C-terminus of the fusion protein. The index “^(TM)” or “^(tm)” in context with fusion proteins indicate which transmembrane domain is used for the respective construct. For example, “PD-1^(TM):BB” or “PD-1^(tm):BB” means that the fusion protein comprises the transmembrane domain of PD-1, while “PD-1:BB^(TM)” or “PD-1:BB^(tm)” means the fusion protein comprises the transmembrane domain of 4-1BB. Likewise, “CD28:CD40L^(tm)” or “CD40L^(tm):CD28” means that the fusion protein comprises the transmembrane domain of CD40L, while “CD40L:CD28^(TM)” or means the fusion protein comprises the transmembrane domain of CD28.

In accordance with the present invention, a fusion protein is provided which comprises the extracellular domain (ECD) of PD-1 or CD40L (e.g., PD-1), a transmembrane domain (TMD), and the intracellular domain (ICD) of 4-1BB. As has been surprisingly found in context with the present invention, T cells expressing such a PD-1:BB fusion protein exhibit increased and earlier proliferation rates compared to T cells expressing PD-1:CD28 fusion proteins as exemplarily shown in human melanoma xenografts. As has also surprisingly found in accordance with the present invention, the CD40L:CD28 fusion proteins expressed on T cells were able to activate B cells (trans effect; FIG. 10 ) as well as to support T cell functions (cis effect) such as increased IFN-γ secretion (cf. FIG. 11A) and cytotoxicity (FIG. 11B).

That is, as has been found in context with the present invention, a fusion product comprising the ICD of 4-1BB (CD137) exhibits superior effects in form of increased proliferation rates compared to constructs comprising the ICD of CD28 when expressed in T cells, e.g., in human melanoma xenograft.

Accordingly, the ECD of the fusion protein described and provided in context with the present invention having an ECD derived from PD-1 preferably has the function to bind to PD-L1/2 on the surface of tumor cells which express PD-L1 as part of an escape mechanism as known in the art. Upon binding of the ECD of the inventive fusion protein, the ICD of the fusion protein—comprising a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB—preferably acts as activating signalling molecule, thus increasing proliferation of the host cell (e.g., T cell such as CD8⁺ T cell) and/or cytokine secretion.

Likewise, in accordance with the present invention, the ECD of the fusion protein described and provided in context with the present invention having an ECD derived from CD40L preferably has the function to bind to CD40 on the surface of tumor cells which express CD40 as part of an escape mechanism as known in the art. Upon binding of the ECD of the inventive fusion protein, the ICD of the fusion protein—comprising a polypeptide derived from CD28—preferably acts as activating signalling molecule, thus increasing proliferation and/or survival of the host cell (e.g., T cell such as CD8⁺ T cell) and/or cytokine secretion and/or cytotoxicity.

The fusion protein provided in accordance with the present invention may further comprise a CD3ζ domain. This may particularly be applicable for cases where the fusion protein is not expressed in a T cell or generally in a TCR negative cell or in cases where TCR and/or CAR are not co-transduced (or generally co-expressed) in the cell expressing the fusion construct of the present invention. The ICD amino acid sequence of CD3 can be taken from data base known in the art (NP_932170). Generally, CD3 may preferably be introduced after the ICD of the 4-1BB or CD28 protein.

The fusion proteins provided herein may particularly comprise at the N-terminus an ECD containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1, preferably the ECD of PD-1 (e.g., human or murine, preferably human PD-1), or from CD40L. In this context, the term “derived from” particularly means that the polypeptide contained in the ECD comprises at least a part of PD-1 (e.g., human or murine, preferably human PD-1), preferably the ECD of PD-1, or CD40L, respectively. As used herein, the term “derived from” PD-1 or CD40L also allows that up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted compared to a native sequence of PD-1 (human or murine, preferably human PD-1) or CD40L, or part thereof (e.g., ECD). For example, if the ECD is derived from CD40L, it is also envisaged in context with the present invention that the ECD derived from CD40L may comprise or consist of the ECD highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 30 of FIG. 1 . In one embodiment in this context, it may be the soluble part of CD40L (e.g., amino acids 113-261 of SEQ ID NO: 30; FIG. 8 ). As will be readily recognized by the skilled person, for the ECD of the fusion protein the signal peptide sequence (as recognizable for those of skill in the art and as also depicted in specific SEQ ID NOs. referred to herein) is usually cut off in the mature protein before, during or after integration of the fusion protein in the membrane. It is also possible in accordance with the present invention that if the ECD is derived from CD40L, the signal peptide may be derived from PD-1 (FIG. 8 ). That is, when referring to fusion proteins or host cells expressing the fusion proteins as described and provided herein, it is always also encompassed in accordance with the present invention that the ECD of the fusion protein may lack the respective signal peptide.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ECD containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1 or CD40L comprises an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the ECD of human or murine PD-1, e.g., of human PD-1 as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 2 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 2) or CD40L (as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 30 in FIG. 1 ; as full polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO: 30 or only the soluble fragment (amino acids 113-261 of SEQ ID NO: 30), wherein said fusion protein exhibits PD-L1/2 or CD40 binding affinity, respectively. Such binding affinity may be compared to the binding affinity of native PD-1 (e.g., human PD-1) or CD40L to its respective ligand PD-L1/2 or CD40. In context with the present invention, in order to determine whether a given polypeptide exhibits PD-L1/2 or CD40 binding affinity or not, a polypeptide having a binding affinity to native human PD-L1/2 or CD40 which is as least 0.8-fold, preferably at least 0.9-fold, or more preferably at least 1.0-fold as high compared to binding affinity of native human PD-1 to PD-L1/2 or CD40L to CD40, is considered to exhibit binding affinity to PD-L1/2 or CD40, respectively. In this context, the binding affinity of a given polypeptide to PD-L1/2 or CD40 can be measured by methods known in the art and usually and preferably comprises the measurement of the K_(D) value (dissociation constant) which is expressed as a molar concentration. Such methods for measuring protein interactions in terms of K_(D) are well known in the art and comprise, e.g., ELISA, flow cytometry, surface plasmon resonance, biacore measurement, and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ECD comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of the ECD of PD-1 according to SEQ ID NO: 2 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 2). In another embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ECD comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of the ECD of CD40L as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 30 in FIG. 1 (as full polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO: 30 or only the soluble fragment according to amino acids 113-261 of SEQ ID NO: 30).

The ECD of the fusion protein described and provided herein may further comprise a hinge- and/or a linker region at the C-termimus of the ECD (e.g., between the ECD and TMD of the fusion protein, or between the ECD and the ICD of the fusion protein where the TMD is located C-terminally of the ICD) in order to allow more flexibility to the ECD. Typical hinge- or linker regions are known in the art and comprise those derived from the constant region (Fc) of antibodies (e.g., IgG1, CD8alpha) (see, e.g., Shirasu et al., Anticancer Res (2012), 32: 2377-2383 and Cartellieri et al., J Biomed Biotechnol (2010), 956304) (e.g., IgGFc spacers), Gly/Ser linkers, or filamin (e.g., Fil3 spacers). Yet, as such linker- or hinge regions may also cause side effects due to activation of NK cells which secrete high amounts of inflammatory cytokines, it may be desirable in context with the present invention that the fusion proteins described and provided herein do not comprise linker- or hinge regions. That is, in one embodiment of the present invention, the ECD of the fusion protein does not comprise a linker- or hinge region. In another embodiment, where the ECD is derived from CD40L and the ICD is derived from CD28, there are one or more linker- or hinge regions C-terminally of the ECD, e.g., a Gly/Ser linker plus an Fc spacer (e.g., IgGFc spacer) and/or a filamin linker (e.g., Fil3), e.g. as highlighted accordingly in SEQ ID NOs. 27 or 28 of FIG. 1 .

The fusion proteins provided herein further comprise a TMD operably linked between the ECD and the ICD or linked C-terminally of the ICD (e.g. where the ECD is derived from CD40L and the ICD is derived from CD28). Generally, the TMD is not limited to a specific TMD. Preferably, the TMD allows stable anchorage of the fusion protein in the membrane of a cell expressing the fusion protein (e.g., a T cell) and further allows binding of the ECD to PD-L1/2 or CD40, respectively, and, upon binding to PD-L1/2 or CD40, allows signaling induction of the ICD containing a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB, CD28 or CD40L as described and exemplified herein. In context with the present invention, TMDs may inter alia comprise those derived from CD8(alpha), CD28, ICOS, PD-1, or 4-1BB. In one embodiment, if the ECD is derived from CD40L and the ICD is derived from CD28, the TMD is derived from CD28 (CD40L:CD28^(tm)) or from CD40L (CD28:CD40L^(tm)). For example, the fusion protein comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs 27, 28 or 29. The TMDs may generally be of any origin, but are preferably murine or human, more preferably human.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the TMD of the fusion protein is not derived from CD8(alpha), and/or ICOS. If the ECD is derived from PD-1 and the ICD is derived from 4-1BB, the TMD is in one embodiment also not derived from CD28.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the TMD of the fusion protein comprises a polypeptide derived from PD-1, 4-1BB (e.g., human or murine), particularly where the ECD is from PD-1 and the ICD is from 4-1BB, or the TMD is derived from CD28, particularly where the ECD is from CD40L and the ICD is from CD28 (e.g., as highlighted in SEQ ID NOs: 27 or 28 of FIG. 1 ). In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the TMD of the fusion protein comprises a polypeptide derived from PD-1, e.g., human or murine PD-1, particularly human PD-1. In this context, the term “derived from” particularly means that the polypeptide contained in the TMD comprises at least a part of PD-1, 4-1BB (e.g., human or murine, preferably human PD-1 or 4-1BB) or CD28, preferably the TMD of PD-1 or 4-1BB (e.g., PD-1), particularly where the ECD is from PD-1 and the ICD is from 4-1BB. As used herein, the term “derived from” PD-1, 4-1BB, or CD28 also allows that up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted compared to a native sequence of PD-1, 4-1BB (human or murine, preferably human PD-1 or 4-1BB), or CD28, or part thereof (e.g., TMD).

As has been shown in context with the present invention, fusion proteins having an ICD derived from 4-1BB generally exhibit superior proliferation rates of the host cells (e.g., T cells such as CD8⁺ T cells) compared to similar constructs having an ICD derived from CD28 and an ECD from PD-1. Furthermore, fusion proteins comprising a TMD derived from PD-1 lead to an even higher secretion rate of cytokines (e.g., IFNγ or IL-2) in transduced T cells compared to fusion proteins comprising a TMD derived from 4-1BB. Accordingly, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, the TMD of the fusion protein comprises or consists of a polypeptide derived from PD-1, e.g., human or murine PD-1, particularly human PD-1.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises a TMD containing a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the TMD of human or murine 4-1BB, e.g., of human 4-1BB as depicted SEQ ID NO: 6, wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell when retrovirally transduced into a said CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell as described and exemplified herein. Proliferation can be quantified by CFSE dye dilution, i.e. reduction of CFSE fluorescence intensity measured by flow cytometry (as exemplified in FIG. 5 and Method description “Proliferation of TCR-D115 T cells . . . ”, or any other suitable method known in the art to determine proliferation, e.g., H³ thymidin incorporation, BrdU incorporation, etc. If the proliferation of the CD8⁺ T cell retrovirally transduced with the given fusion protein is greater than 1.0, such as at least 1.2-fold, preferably at least 1.3-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold higher compared to the CD8⁺ T cell which was not transduced with the fusion protein, the fusion protein is considered capable of increasing proliferation. Using the CFSE dilution method, the proliferation difference can be calculated as the ratio of mean fluorescence activity (MFI) between T cells without chimeric receptor (mock) and T cells expressing a PD-1:BB or PD-1:CD28 variant. A MFI ratio of 1.0 indicates no difference in proliferation, whereas a MFI ratio of greater than 1.0 indicates proliferation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises a TMD comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of the TMD of 4-1BB according to SEQ ID NO: 6, particularly where the ECD is derived from PD-1 and the ICD is derived from 4-1BB.

In one embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the N-terminal ECD is derived from CD40L and the C-terminal ICD is derived from CD28, the fusion protein comprises a TMD (which may be located at the N- or C-terminal of the ICD, preferably at the N-terminal of the ICD) containing a polypeptide derived from CD28 comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the TMD of CD28 as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28 of FIG. 1 , wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the activation rate of B cells when expressed on TCR-T58 cells as shown in FIG. 10 . If the activation increase of the B cell is greater 1.2-fold, preferably at least 1.3-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold compared to the B cell activation rate with TCR-T58 cells which were not transduced with the fusion protein, the fusion protein is considered capable of increasing activation.

In another embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the C-terminal ECD is derived from CD40L and the N-terminal ICD is derived from CD28, the fusion protein comprises a TMD (which may preferably be located between the ICD and the ECD) containing a polypeptide derived from CD40L comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the TMD of CD40L as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 29 of FIG. 1 , wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the activation rate of B cells when expressed on TCR-T58 cells as shown in FIG. 10 . If the activation increase of the B cell-is greater 1.2-fold, preferably at least 1.3-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold compared to the B cell activation rate with TCR-T58 cells which were not transduced with the fusion protein, the fusion protein is considered capable of increasing activation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises a TMD containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1 comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the TMD of human or murine PD-1, e.g., of human PD-1 as depicted SEQ ID NO: 8, wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2 when retrovirally transduced into a CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell. Assessment whether a given fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2 when retrovirally transduced into a CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell can be performed by methods known in the art and as also described and exemplified herein (cf. also “Coculture and cytokine assay” as exemplified herein below). In order to assess whether a given fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2, the IFNγ and/or IL-2 secretion level of a CD8⁺ T cell retrovirally transduced with said fusion protein is compared to the IFNγ and/or IL-2 secretion level of a comparable CD8⁺ T cell not transduced with said fusion protein. For this purpose, both CD8⁺ T cells (one transduced with the fusion protein, the other one not transduced) are stimulated with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell as described and exemplified herein followed by measuring the secretion level of IFNγ and/or IL-2. The CD8⁺ T cell transduced with the fusion protein and the non-transduced control CD8⁺ T cell are usually derived from the same donor. For example, transgenic human T cells may be retrovirally transduced to express the fusion protein containing said polypeptide derived from 4-1BB, then cultured with HEK/Tyr or HEK/Tyr/PD-L1 cells at a 1:2 ratio. Co-culture supernatants may then be harvested after 16 h and analyzed by sandwich ELISA (BD) or Bio-Plex (Bio-Rad) according to the manufacturer's protocol. In case the transduced TCRs are only functional in CD8⁺ T cells and the CD8⁺/CD4⁺ T cell ratio varies, the amount of measured cytokine can be normalized to the percentage of TCR⁺CD8⁺ T cells within the cell suspension (determined by flow cytometry), applying the following formula:

$\begin{matrix} {{cytokine}{produced}{by}} \\ {{100\%{TCR}} + {CBD} + {T{cells}}} \end{matrix} = {\frac{{cytokine}{concentration}{measured}}{{\%{TCR}} + {{CB}8} + {T{cells}{detected}{by}{FC}}} \times 100}$

Methods for measuring the secretion level of IFNγ and IL-2 are well known in the art and also exemplified herein and comprise, inter alia, ELISA, Bio-Plex, intracellular flow cytometry (ICS), or the like. If the IFNγ and/or IL-2 secretion level of the CD8⁺ T cell retrovirally transduced with the given fusion protein is at least 1.2-fold, preferably at least 1.3-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold higher compared to the CD8⁺ T cell which was not transduced with the fusion protein, the fusion protein is considered capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises a TMD comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of the TMD of PD-1 according to SEQ ID NO: 8. In another embodiment, particularly where the N-terminal ECD is derived from CD40L and the C-terminal ICD is derived from CD28, the fusion protein comprises a TMD (which may be located at the N- or C-terminal of the ICD, preferably at the N-terminal of the ICD), the TMD comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of the TMD of CD28 as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28 of FIG. 1 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the C-terminal ECD is derived from CD40L and the N-terminal ICD is derived from CD28, the fusion protein comprises a TMD (which may preferably be located between the ICD and the ECD), the TMD comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of the TMD of CD40L as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 29 of FIG. 1 .

The fusion proteins provided herein further comprise an ICD operably linked to the C-terminus of the TMD (particularly for fusion proteins where the ECD is from PD-1 and the ICD is from 4-1BB), or operably linked to the C- or N-terminus of the TMD (particularly for fusion proteins where the ECD is from CD40L and the ICD is from CD28). The ICD of the inventive fusion proteins contains a polypeptide which is derived from 4-1BB (CD137) or CD28. In this context, the term “derived from” particularly means that the polypeptide contained in the ICD comprises at least a part of 4-1BB (e.g., human or murine, preferably human 4-1BB), preferably the ICD of (human) 4-1BB, or CD28. As used herein, the term “derived from” 4-1BB or CD28 also allows that up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more amino acid are substituted, deleted, and/or inserted compared to a native sequence of 4-1BB (human or murine, preferably human 4-1BB) or CD28, or part thereof (e.g., ICD). In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the ICD of the fusion protein comprises a polypeptide derived from the ICD of 4-1BB, e.g., human or murine 4-1BB, particularly human 4-1BB. In another embodiment of the present invention, particularly where the ECD is from CD40L and the ICD is from CD28, the fusion protein comprises a polypeptide derived from the ICD of CD28, for example comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 27, 28, or 29 of FIG. 1 (according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28 particularly for cases where the ECD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ICD is located at the C-terminus (C- or N-terminally of the TMD, preferably C-terminally of the TMD) of the fusion protein; and according to SEQ ID NO: 29 particularly for cases where the ICD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ECD is located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ICD containing a polypeptide derived from 4-1BB comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the ICD of human or murine 4-1BB, e.g., of human 4-1BB as depicted in SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell when retrovirally transduced into said CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell as described and exemplified herein.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ICD containing a polypeptide derived from CD28 comprising an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of the ICD of CD28 as highlighted in SEQ ID NO: 27, 28, or 29 of FIG. 1 (according to SEQ ID NO: 27 or 28 particularly for cases where the ECD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ICD is located at the C-terminus (C- or N-terminally of the TMD, preferably N-terminally of the TMD) of the fusion protein; and according to SEQ ID NO: 29 particularly for cases where the ICD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ECD is located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein), wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the activation rate of B cells when expressed on TCR-T58 cells as shown in FIG. 10 . If the activation increase of the B cell is greater 1.2-fold, preferably at least 1.3-fold, more preferably at least 1.5-fold compared to the B cell activation rate with TCR-T58 cells which were not transduced with the fusion protein, the fusion protein is considered capable of increasing activation.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises an ICD comprising or consisting of the amino acid sequence of the ICD of 4-1BB according to SEQ ID NO: 4.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein provided and described herein comprises or consists of an ECD derived from PD-1, a TMD derived from 4-1BB, and an ICD derived from 4-1BB. In one embodiment, all domains are derived from corresponding human domains. In a specific embodiment, the fusion protein of the present invention comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 22 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 22), wherein said fusion protein exhibits PD-L1/2 binding affinity as described herein, and wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell when retrovirally transduced into said CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell as described and exemplified herein. In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises or consists of an amino acid according to SEQ ID NO: 22 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 22).

In another embodiment of the present invention, fusion protein provided and described herein comprises or consists of an ECD derived from CD40L, a TMD derived from CD28 or CD40L (CD28 where the ECD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ICD is located at the C-terminus (C- or N-terminally of the TMD, preferably N-terminally of the TMD) of the fusion protein; CD40L where the ICD is located at the N-terminus of the fusion protein and the ECD is located at the C-terminus of the fusion protein), and an ICD derived from CD28. In one embodiment, all domains are derived from corresponding human domains. In a specific embodiment, the fusion protein of the present invention comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, or 29 (for SEQ ID NOs. 27 and 28: with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for 27 or 28; for SEQ ID NO: 29: compared to full polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO: 29 or to the soluble fragment thereof according to amino acids 113-261 of SEQ ID NO: 29), wherein said fusion protein exhibits CD40 binding affinity as described herein, and wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the activation rate of B cells when expressed on TCR-T58 cells as shown in FIG. 10 . In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises or consists of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NOs: 27, 28, or 29 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for 27, 28, or 29).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein provided and described herein comprises or consists of an ECD derived from PD-1, a TMD derived from PD-1, and an ICD derived from 4-1BB. In one embodiment, all domains are derived from corresponding human domains. In a specific embodiment, the fusion protein of the present invention comprises or consists of an amino acid sequence with up to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions (preferably conservative or highly conservative substitutions), deletions and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 24 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 24), wherein said fusion protein exhibits PD-L1/2 binding affinity as described herein, and wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2 when retrovirally transduced into a CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell as described and exemplified herein. In this context, in order to assess whether a given fusion protein is capable of increasing the proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell as well as increasing the IFNγ and/or IL-2 secretion level of said CD8⁺ T cell retrovirally transduced with said fusion protein is compared to the proliferation rate/the IFNγ and/or IL-2 secretion level of a comparable CD8⁺ T cell not transduced with said fusion protein. Methods for assessing proliferation and IFNγ/IL-2 secretion rates are known in the art and described and exemplified herein above and below.

In a further specific embodiment of the present invention, the fusion protein comprises or consists of an amino acid according to SEQ ID NO: 24 (with or without the signal peptide as depicted in FIG. 1 for SEQ ID NO: 24).

It must be noted that as used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the”, include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a reagent” includes one or more of such different reagents and reference to “the method” includes reference to equivalent steps and methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art that could be modified or substituted for the methods described herein.

Unless otherwise indicated, the term “at least” preceding a series of elements is to be understood to refer to every element in the series. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments of the invention described herein. Such equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

The term “and/or” wherever used herein includes the meaning of “and”, “or” and “all or any other combination of the elements connected by said term”.

The term “about” or “approximately” as used herein means within 20%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integer or step. When used herein the term “comprising” can be substituted with the term “containing” or “including” or sometimes when used herein with the term “having”.

When used herein “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. When used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim.

In each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms.

It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, protocols, and reagents, etc., described herein and as such can vary. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined solely by the claims.

All publications and patents cited throughout the text of this specification (including all patents, patent applications, scientific publications, manufacturer's specifications, instructions, etc.), whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the invention is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention. To the extent the material incorporated by reference contradicts or is inconsistent with this specification, the specification will supersede any such material.

As used herein, “conservative” substitutions mean substitutions as listed as “Exemplary Substitutions” in Table 1 below. “Highly conservative” substitutions as used herein mean substitutions as shown under the heading “Preferred Substitutions” in Table I below.

TABLE I Amino Acid Substitutions Preferred Original Exemplary Substitutions Substitutions Ala (A) val; leu; ile Val Arg (R) lys; g1n; asn lys Asn (N) g1n; his; asp, lys; arg gln Asp (D) glu; asn glu Cys (C) ser; ala ser Gln (Q) asn; glu asn Glu (E) asp; gln asp Gly (G) ala ala His (H) asn; g1n; lys; arg arg Ile (I) leu; val; met; ala; phe; leu Leu (L) norleucine; ile; val; met; ala; ile Lys (K) arg; gin; asn arg Met (M) leu; phe; ile leu Phe (F) leu; val; ile; ala; tyr tyr Pro (P) ala ala Ser (S) thr thr Thr (T) ser ser Trp (W) tyr; phe tyr Tyr (Y) trp; phe; thr; ser Phe Val (V) ile; leu; met; phe; ala; leu

The term “polypeptide” is equally used herein with the term “protein”. Proteins (including fragments thereof, preferably biologically active fragments, and peptides, usually having less than 30 amino acids) comprise one or more amino acids coupled to each other via a covalent peptide bond (resulting in a chain of amino acids). The term “polypeptide” as used herein describes a group of molecules which typically comprise more than 10 amino acids. Polypeptides may further form multimers such as dimers, trimers and higher oligomers, i.e. consisting of more than one polypeptide molecule. Polypeptide molecules forming such dimers, trimers etc. may be identical or non-identical. The corresponding higher order structures of such multimers are, consequently, termed homo- or heterodimers, homo- or heterotrimers etc. An example for a heteromultimer is an antibody molecule, which, in its naturally occurring form, consists of two identical light polypeptide chains and two identical heavy polypeptide chains. The terms “polypeptide” and “protein” also refer to naturally modified polypeptides/proteins wherein the modification is effected e.g. by post-translational modifications like glycosylation, acetylation, phosphorylation and the like. Such modifications are well known in the art.

The term “amino acid” or “amino acid residue” as used herein typically refers to an amino acid having its art recognized definition such as proteinogenic amino acid selected from the group consisting of: alanine (Ala or A); arginine (Arg or R); asparagine (Asn or N); aspartic acid (Asp or D); cysteine (Cys or C); glutamine (Gln or Q); glutamic acid (Glu or E); glycine (Gly or G); histidine (His or H); isoleucine (He or I): leucine (Leu or L); lysine (Lys or K); methionine (Met or M); phenylalanine (Phe or F); pro line (Pro or P); serine (Ser or S); threonine (Thr or T); tryptophan (Trp or W); tyrosine (Tyr or Y); and valine (Val or V), although modified, synthetic, or rare amino acids may be used as desired. Generally, amino acids can be grouped as having a nonpolar side chain (e.g., Ala, Cys, He, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Val); a negatively charged side chain (e.g., Asp, Glu); a positively charged sidechain (e.g., Arg, His, Lys); or an uncharged polar side chain (e.g., Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, His, Met, Phe, Ser, Thr, Trp, and Tyr).

Generally, as used herein, the term “fusion protein” relates to a protein which is made of polypeptide parts from different sources. Accordingly, it may be also understood as a “chimeric protein”, a “chimeric construct”, “fusion construct”, or the like. Usually, fusion proteins are proteins created through the joining of two or more genes (or preferably cDNAs) that originally coded for separate proteins. Translation of this fusion gene (or fusion cDNA) results in a single polypeptide, preferably with functional properties derived from each of the original proteins. Recombinant fusion proteins are created artificially by recombinant DNA technology for use in biological research or therapeutics. Further details to the production of the fusion protein of the present invention are known in the art and described and exemplified herein.

The present invention further relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein provided and described herein. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules which only encode parts of the fusion protein described and provided herein, e.g., which encode only the ECD, the TMD, and/or the ICD of the fusion protein. For example, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules according to SEQ ID NOs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 21, or 23, or combinations thereof linked via nucleic acid bonds, provided a fusion protein according to the present invention or a part thereof (e.g., the ECD, TMD and/or ICD) is encoded. The present invention also relates to nucleic acid molecules where 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, 3, or 0 nucleotides have been substituted (preferably silent mutations which do not result in a change of translated amino acid), deleted or inserted compared to nucleic acid molecules according to SEQ ID NOs. 1, 3, 5, 7, 21, or 23, or combinations thereof linked via nucleic acid bonds, provided a fusion protein according to the present invention or a part thereof (e.g., the ECD, TMD and/or ICD) is encoded. In principle, the present invention preferably relates to nucleic acids encoding fusion proteins specifically described and embodied herein. Generally, SEQ ID NOs. 13 and 14 show the human nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of CD28, respectively, where the predominant transcript of CD28 is depicted. Yet, given that CD28 also exists in further splice variants (e.g., in-frame donor splice variants or variants lacking an in-frame coding exon), such variants or parts thereof (particularly TMD thereof) are also encompassed to be part of the fusion protein described and provided herein. Generally, SEQ ID NOs. 13 and 14 show the human nucleic acid and amino acid sequence of CD28, respectively, where the predominant transcript of CD28 is depicted.

As used herein, unless specifically defined otherwise, the term “nucleic acid” or “nucleic acid molecule” is used synonymously with “oligonucleotide”, “nucleic acid strand”, “polynucleotide”, or the like, and means a polymer comprising one, two, or more nucleotides. The term “nucleic acid molecule” relates to the sequence of bases comprising purine- and pyrimidine bases which are comprised by polynucleotides, whereby said bases represent the primary structure of a nucleic acid molecule. Herein, the term “nucleic acid molecule” includes all kinds of nucleic acid, including DNA, cDNA, genomic DNA, RNA, synthetic forms of DNA and mixed polymers comprising two or more of these molecules, and preferably relates to DNA and cDNA. As readily understood by those of skill in the art, the nucleic acid sequences provided herein represent sequences of DNA and also comprise corresponding RNA sequences where T is replaced by U. The term “nucleic acid molecule” generally comprises sense and antisense strands. “Nucleic acid molecule” may further comprise non-natural or derivatized nucleotide bases as well as natural or artificial nucleotide analogues, e.g., in order to protect the nucleic acid molecule against endo- and/or exonucleases as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The present invention further relates to a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule described and provided herein.

The term “vector” as used herein generally comprises all kinds of linear or circular nucleic acid molecules which can replicate autonomously is a suitable host cell. Such vectors comprise, but are not limited to, plasmids, cosmids, phages, virus (e.g., adeno-, adeno-associated-, lenti-, or preferably retroviral vectors), and other vectors or shuttles known in the art which are suitable to carry and transfer genes into host cells in order to allow stable or transient translation and constitutive or conditional expression of the inventive fusion protein in the host cell. The vector is usually not integrated into the cell genome, but may also be integrated. Vectors according to the present invention which comprise nucleic acid molecules as described and provided herein preferably allow stable expression of the fusion protein of the present invention in the host cell (expression vector). Vectors of the present invention may further comprise marker genes, promoter and/or enhancer sequences (operably linked to the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention), replication origin suitable for the respective host cell, restriction sited, multiple cloning sites, labels and further functional units as known in the art. The vectors may inter alia be transferred into host cells via a shuttle such as a virus (which may itself be considered a vector), or be nakedly transformed or transduced into host cells. The vector is preferably adapted to suit to the respective host cell where it is to be transformed or transduced into. The skilled person will readily understand that different host cells will require different kinds of vectors. For example, as shown herein the vector (plasmid) pGEM is a suitable vector for transformation into bacterial cells, while the retroviral vector pMP71 is suitable for transduction into eukaryotic cells (e.g., T cells).

In one embodiment of the present invention, the vector of the present invention is a viral vector, e.g., a retroviral or lentiviral vector, e.g., a retroviral vector. Examples for suitable retroviral vectors are known in the art and include, e.g., pMP71-PRE (Leisegang, K Mol Med (2008), 86(5): 573-583), SAMEN CMV/SRa, LZRS-id3-IHRES (Heemskerk et al., J. Exp. Med. 186 (1997), 1597-1602), FeLV (Neil et al., Nature 308 (1984), 814-820), SAX (Kantoff et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sei. USA 83 (1986), 6563-6567), pDOL (Desiderio, J. Exp. Med. 167 (1988), 372-388), N2 (Kasid et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sei, USA 87 (1990), 473-477), LNL6 (Tiberghien et al., Blood 84 (1994), 1333-1341), pZipNEO (Chen et al., J. Immunol. 153 (1994), 3630-3638), LASN (Mullen et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 7 (1996), 1123-1129), pGIXsNa (Taylor et al., J. Exp. Med. 184 (1996), 2031-2036), LCNX (Sun et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 8 (1997), 1041-1048), SFG (Gallardo et al., Blood 90 (1997), LXSN (Sun et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 8 (1997), 1041-1048), SFG (Gallardo et al., Blood 90 (1997), 952-957), HMB-Hb-Hu (Vieillard et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sei. USA 94 (1997), 11595-11600), pMV7 (Cochlovius et al., Cancer Immunol. Immunother. 46 (1998), 61-66), pSTITCH (Weitjens et al., Gene Ther 5 (1998), 1195-1203), pLZR (Yang et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 10 (1999), 123-132), pBAG (Wu et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 10 (1999), 977-982), rKat.43.267bn (Gilham et al., J. Immunother. 25 (2002), 139-151), pLGSN (Engels et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 14 (2003), 1155-1168), pMP71 (Engels et al., Hum. Gene Ther. 14 (2003), 1155-1168), pGCSAM (Morgan et al., J. Immunol. 171 (2003), 3287-3295), pMSGV (Zhao et al., J. Immunol. 174 (2005), 4415-4423), or pMX (de Witte et al., J. Immunol. 181 (2008), 5128-5136). In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the vector is pMP71-PRE or pMP71.

The present invention further relates to a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector as described and provided herein. In one embodiment, the host cell of the present invention is transduced or transformed with the nucleic acid molecule or the vector as described and provided herein.

Generally, as used herein unless specifically defined otherwise, the terms “transduced” or “transformed” (as well as “transduction” or “transformation”) or the like may be used interchangeably and generally mean any kind of transfer of a nucleic acid molecule and/or vector into a host cell, regardless of the kind of host cell and regardless of the way of transfer (e.g., (chemical) transformation, (viral) transduction, electroporation, transfection, etc.). The nucleic acid molecule and/or the vector may be stably integrated into the genome of the host cell, or be extrachromosomal (i.e. transient expression). Examples for suitable methods for achieving transient expression in a host cell are known in the art and comprise mRNA transfection. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid molecule and/or the vector is stably integrated into the genome.

The host cell described and provided in context with the present invention comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector as described and provided herein is preferably able to stably or transiently (e.g., stably) express (either constitutively or conditionally) the fusion protein of the present invention. The host cell may generally be transduced or transformed by any method with any suitable nucleic acid molecule or vector. In one embodiment, the host cell is transduced with a retroviral or lentiviral (e.g., retroviral) vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of the present invention or parts thereof (e.g., ECD, TMD, and/or ICD) as described above.

In one embodiment, the host cell of the present invention is transduced with a retroviral vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of the present invention or parts thereof (e.g., ECD, TMD, and/or ICD) as described above and stably expresses (either constitutively or conditionally) the fusion protein or part thereof. Preferably, the host cell then stably expresses the fusion protein in its membrane, with the ECD of the fusion protein of the present invention directed to the surface, the TMD being (largely) embedded in the membrane, and the ICD directed to the cytoplasm.

In context with the present, the host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule or the vector as described and provided herein relates to a genetically modified cell where said nucleic acid molecule or said vector was transduced, transformed or otherwise introduced into the host cell. As already mentioned, the host cell of the present invention may be a cell which transiently or stably expresses the fusion protein of the present invention. For example, the nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of the present invention can be stably integrated into the genome of the cell by retroviral or lentiviral (e.g., retroviral) transduction. The PD-1-BB fusion protein is expressed in the membrane of the herein provided transduced cell. The ECD of the PD-1 part of the fusion protein located on the cell surface, while the TMD and ICD intracellular are bound to the membrane but are not detectable on the cell surface. The detection of the ECD of the PD-1 polypeptide can be carried out by using an antibody or other binding molecule specifically binding the ECD of PD-1 as described herein, e.g., by ELISA or by flow cytometry, or microscopy. The transduced cell of the present invention may be, e.g., CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, double-negative α/β T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, γδ T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, as well as cells suitable store and/or reproduce the nucleic acid molecule or vector of the present invention, including bacterial cells (e.g., E. coli) and further eukaryotes. In one embodiment, the host cell of the present invention is a T cell, e.g., a CD8⁺ T cell.

The host cell of the present invention may be transduced with a nucleic acid molecule or a vector encoding the fusion protein as described and provided herein. Preferably, the host cell provided and described herein may be co-transduced with further nucleic acid molecules, e.g. with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a T cell receptor (TCR) or a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR). Such co-transduction (or other method for introducing nucleic acid molecules into cells as described and exemplified herein) is known in the art and also described and exemplified herein.

Examples of suitable host cells according to the present invention include, but are not limited to, T cells, e.g. CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, TCR such as (but not limited to) TCR-T58 or TCR-D115 T cells, double-negative α/β T cells, NK (natural killer) cells, γδ T cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, as well as cells suitable store and/or reproduce the nucleic acid molecule or vector of the present invention, including bacterial cells (e.g., E. coli) and further eukaryotes. The cells may be autologous or non-autologous, but are preferably autologous. Also, the cells may be allogeneic or non-allogeneic as readily clear for the skilled person. In one embodiment, the host cell of the present invention is a CD8⁺ T cell.

The present invention also relates to a method of preparing a host cell of the present invention as described and provided herein, said method comprising

-   (1) transducing or transforming a host cell as described above with     a nucleic acid molecule or a vector as described and provided     herein; -   (2) cultivating the transduced host cell of step (1) in a suitable     medium allowing growth of the cell and expression of the fusion     protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecule or said vector; and -   (3) collecting the host cells from the medium.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the host cell is transduced or transformed outside the human body. Methods for obtaining, isolating and culturing cells (e.g., T cells such as CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, TCR such as (but not limited to) TCR-T58 or TCR-D115 T cells) from donors (e.g., human donors) are known in the art and comprise inter alia blood draw or bone marrow removal.

In accordance with the method of the present invention, the host cell may be transduced or transformed or otherwise be provided with a nucleic acid molecule or a vector as described and provided herein by any method known in the art. Such methods comprise, inter alia, (chemical) transformation, (viral) transduction, electroporation, transfection, and the like. In one embodiment, the host cell is transduced with a retroviral vector.

The host cell to be prepared in accordance with the present invention may be any host cell as described herein. In one embodiment, the host cell is a T cell, for example a CD8⁺ T cell, CD4⁺ T cell, TCR such as (but not limited to) TCR-T58 or TCR-D115 T cell.

The present invention also relates to a host cell obtainable by the preparation method provided herein.

The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein, a nucleic acid molecule, a vector, and/or a host cell as described and provided by the present invention. Such pharmaceutical composition is suitable to be administered to patient (preferably, human patient), particularly to the donor of the host cells as described above. Accordingly, the present invention also relates to methods for treating a disease or disorder by administering comprising a pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein, a nucleic acid molecule, a vector, and/or a host cell as described and provided by the present invention.

The pharmaceutical composition of the present invention may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and further components, e.g., for galenic. The pharmaceutical composition is particularly useful for treating diseases or disorders associated with the expression of PD-1 ligands (e.g., PD-L1 or PD-L2) and/or CD40. Such diseases and disorders are known to the skilled person and comprise particularly (but not limited to) different types of cancer such as lung cancer, gastric cancer, renal cell cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, urothelial cancer, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, myeloma, Hodkin's lymphoma, retinoblastoma, leukemia, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, glioma, non-Hodkin's lymphoma, hepatocellular cancer, oral cancer, and others. Further diseases and disorders which may be treated by the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein comprise (chronic) viral infections and (chronic) inflammations, particularly for cases where PD-L1/L2 and/or CD40 is expressed.

The present invention further relates to a kit or kit-in-parts comprising a fusion protein, a nucleic acid molecule, a vector, and/or a host cell as described and provided in context with the present invention.

The present invention further relates to the following items:

-   (1) A fusion protein comprising     -   (a) an extracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived         from PD-1 at its N-terminus;     -   (b) a transmembrane domain; and     -   (c) an intracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived         from 4-1BB at its C-terminus. -   (2). The fusion protein of item 1, wherein said transmembrane domain     comprises a polypeptide derived from PD-1 or 4-1BB, preferably from     PD-1. -   (3) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, further     comprising a CD3ζ domain. -   (4) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said extracellular domain does not comprise a linker or a hinge     domain. -   (5) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said polypeptide derived from PD-1 comprised by said extracellular     and/or by said transmembrane domain is a polypeptide derived from     human PD-1. -   (6) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said polypeptide derived from 4-1BB comprised by said transmembrane     and/or by said intracellular domain is a polypeptide derived from     human 4-1BB. -   (7) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said extracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1     comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,     or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions     compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2,     -   wherein said fusion protein exhibits PD-L1/2 binding affinity. -   (8) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said intracellular domain containing a polypeptide derived from     4-1BB comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,     8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions     compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4,     -   wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the         proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell when retrovirally transduced         into a said CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell         with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell. -   (9) The fusion protein of any one of items 2 to 8, wherein said     transmembrane domain containing a polypeptide derived from PD-1     comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,     or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions     compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8,     -   wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion         of IFNγ and/or IL-2 when retrovirally transduced into a CD8⁺         T-cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T-cell with a PD-L1/2⁺         target cell. -   (10) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said extracellular domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 2. -   (11) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said intracellular domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 4. -   (12) The fusion protein of any one of the preceding items, wherein     said transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ     ID NO: 8. -   (13) A nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of any one     of the preceding items. -   (14) A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of item 13. -   (15) A host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of item 13 or     the vector of item 14. -   (16) The host cell of item 15 which is transduced with the nucleic     acid molecule of item 13 or the vector of item 14. -   (17) The host cell of item 15 or 16, wherein said nucleic acid     molecule or said vector is stably integrated into the genome of the     host cell. -   (18) The host cell of item 16 or 17 which is transduced via     retroviral transduction. -   (19) The host cell of any one of items 15 to 18 stably expressing a     fusion protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of item 13. -   (20) The host cell of any one of items 15 to 19 which is a CD8⁺     T-cell. -   (21) A method of preparing a host cell of any one of items 15 to 20     comprising     -   (1) transducing a host cell with a nucleic acid molecule of item         13 or a vector of item 14;     -   (2) cultivating the transduced host cell of step (1) in a         suitable medium allowing growth of the cell and expression of         the fusion protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecule or said         vector; and     -   (3) collecting the host cells from the medium. -   (22) A host cell obtainable by the method of item 21. -   (23) A pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein of any     one of items 1 to 12, a nucleic acid molecule of item 13, a vector     of item 14, and/or a host cell of any one of items 15 to 20 or 22. -   (24) The fusion protein of any one of items 1 to 12, the nucleic     acid molecule of item 13, the vector of item 14, the host cell of     any one of items 15 to 20 or 22, or the pharmaceutical composition     of item 23 for use in treating cancer and chronic viral infection. -   (25) A kit or kit-in-parts comprising a fusion protein of any one of     items 1 to 12, a nucleic acid molecule of item 13, a vector of item     14, and/or a host cell of any one of items 15 to 20 or 22.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

General legend for sequences unless specified otherwise:

Bold: signal peptide (usually cut off in mature protein); Underlined: TMD; Italics and Bold: ICD; CAPITAL LETTERS for nucleotide sequences: codon-optimized sequences

FIG. 1 : SEQ ID NO 1: nucleic acid sequence ECD human PD-1

-   -   SEQ ID NO: 2: amino acid sequence ECD human PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 3: nucleic acid sequence ICD human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 4: amino acid sequence ICD human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 5: nucleic acid sequence TMD human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 6: amino acid sequence TMD human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 7: nucleic acid sequence TMD human PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 8: amino acid sequence TMD human PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 9: nucleic acid sequence human PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 10: amino acid sequence human PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 11: nucleic acid sequence human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 12: amino acid sequence human 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 13: nucleic acid sequence human CD28     -   SEQ ID NO: 14: amino acid sequence human CD28     -   SEQ ID NO: 15: nucleic acid sequence murine PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 16: amino acid sequence murine PD-1     -   SEQ ID NO: 17: nucleic acid sequence murine 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 18: amino acid sequence murine 4-1BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 19: nucleic acid sequence murine CD28     -   SEQ ID NO: 20: amino acid sequence murine CD28     -   SEQ ID NO: 21: nucleic acid sequence human PD-1:BB^(TM)     -   SEQ ID NO: 22: amino acid sequence human PD-1:BB^(TM)     -   SEQ ID NO: 23: nucleic acid sequence human PD-1^(TM):BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 24: amino acid sequence human PD-1^(TM):BB     -   SEQ ID NO: 25: nucleic acid sequence human PD-1:CD28^(TM)     -   SEQ ID NO: 26: amino acid sequence human PD-1:CD28^(TM)     -   SEQ ID NO: 27: amino acid sequence CD40L:CD28^(tm) with Gly/Ser         (G/S) linker and IgGFc spacer:         -   PD1SP (signal peptide from PD-1, first underlined sequence             part)         -   ECD from CD40L (aa 113-261 from SEQ ID NO: 30)         -   GS-linker (second underlined sequence part)         -   IgGFc (spacer in bold)         -   CD28TM (third underlined sequence part)         -   ICD from CD28 (aa 148-220, bold italics)     -   SEQ ID NO: 28: amino acid sequence CD40L:CD28^(tm) with Gly/Ser         (G/S) linker and Fil3 spacer:         -   PD1SP (signal peptide from PD-1, first underlined sequence             part)         -   ECD from CD40L (aa 113-261 261 from SEQ ID NO: 30)         -   GS-linker (second underlined sequence part)         -   Fil3 (spacer in bold)         -   CD28TM (third underlined sequence part)         -   ICD from CD28 (aa 148-220, bold italics)     -   SEQ ID NO: 29: CD28:CD40L^(tm) with inverted CD28 ICD at         N-terminus, short CD40 ICD-fragment, TMD from CD40L and ECD from         CD40L at C-terminus         -   CD40L (aa 14-261 of SEQ ID NO: 30)         -   CD28ICD inverted (bold italics; aa 180-220)     -   SEQ ID NO: 30: native CD40L sequence         -   ICD (bold italics)         -   TM (underlined)         -   ECD

FIG. 2 : Design of chimeric PD-1 co-stimulatory receptors

-   -   amino acids (aa) correspond to the respective human parental         proteins. Note that for the PD-1 ECD, the signal peptide         sequence is removed and thus the mature protein is depicted

FIG. 3 : Chimeric receptor expression on TCR-T58+ CD8+ T cells after retroviral transduction

-   -   Human T cells, which stably express the HLA-A2 restricted         tyrosinase-specific T cell receptor TCR-T58, were retrovirally         transduced with vectors encoding indicated chimeric receptors. T         cells were frozen 15 days after transduction for later use.         Receptor expression on the T cell surface was evaluated by flow         cytometry after defrosting T cells and before T cells were used         in co-culture experiments (3 days culture in medium containing         50 U/ml IL-2). Shown are representative FACS histograms         demonstrating surface expression of PD-1:28^(tm), PD-1:BB^(tm)         and PD-1^(tm):BB as determined by anti-PD-1 staining. Numbers         are the % of receptor-positive cells and the corresponding MFI.         Black line histograms and black numbers correspond to isotype         staining, red line histograms and red numbers correspond to the         PD-1 staining.

FIG. 4 : Effect of chimeric receptors on TCR-induced cytokine secretion

-   -   TCR-T58⁺ T cells which expressed indicated chimeric receptors         (see FIG. 3 ) were co-cultured with (HEK/tyr) or HEK/tyr/PD-L1         for 16 hours. Supernatants were removed and the content of IFNγ         and IL-2 was determined by ELISA. Graphics represent the effect         of chimeric receptor expression on IFNγ (left) and IL-2 (right)         secretion. For each experiment, the x-fold change in cytokine         between co-cultures with HEK/tyr and HEK/tyr/PD-L1 was         calculated. From all performed experiments (n=2-3), the mean of         the x-fold change was determined and presented as bar diagram.         Error bars are the SEM. Statistical analysis employed the         two-factorial analysis of variance (acc to Sidak). * p<0.02 ***         p<0.0002; **** p<0.0001; ns=not significant

FIG. 5 : Effect of chimeric receptors on T cell proliferation in the milieu of human melanoma xenografts in NSG mice

-   -   SK-Mel23 human melanoma cells expressing the peptide-MHC complex         (pMHC) for TCR-D115 T cells (HLA-A2/tyrosinase) were injected         s.c. into the flank of immuno-deficient NSG mice. CFSE-labelled         TCR-T58⁺ T cells without co-receptor expression (Mock         transduced) and those expressing the chimeric receptor         PD-1^(tm):BB or PD-1:CD28^(tm), respectively, were injected         intratumorally into established xenografts (802 mm3, SEM±83, ca.         17 days). 1 day, 2 days, 4 days, 6 days and 11 days after T cell         injection tumors were harvested, dissociated into single cell         suspension and used for flow cytometry. CFSE staining intensity         was assessed on T cells (CD8⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁻CD8⁻ double-negative         (dbl⁻) cells) as a means to determine their proliferative         history in the tumor milieu. TCR-D115⁺CD8⁺ T cells can be         activated by the tumor cells and acquire a dbl⁻ phenotype due to         activation. CD8⁺ and dbl⁻ T cells demonstrated comparable CFSE         dilution and are represented as one population. CD4⁺ T cells         cannot recognize the melanoma cells and, therefore, cannot         undergo pMHC-specific proliferation. CFSE dilution in CD4⁺ T         cells was not seen until 6 days after T cell injection and most         likely occurred due to cytokines produced by the activated CD8⁺         T cells (not shown). Shown are representative histograms of CFSE         stainings of CD8⁺/dbl⁻ T cells after 1 day and 2 days of i.t.         injection. Each histogram corresponds to one tumor of one mouse.         Numbers indicate mean fluorescence intensity of CFSE. Vertical         line indicates the original CSFE intensity indicative for cells         that had not yet started to proliferate. It was observed that on         day 1 and day 2, CD8⁺/dbl⁻ T cells that co-expressed the         chimeric receptor PD-1^(tm):BB had lower CFSE intensity compared         to CD8⁺/dbl⁻ T cells without chimeric receptor or expressing the         PD-1:CD28^(tm) receptor, respectively. On day 4, CD8⁺dbl⁻ T         cells displayed comparable CFSE dilution independent of chimeric         receptor expression (not shown). The early dilution of CFSE by         PD-1^(tm):BB expressing T cells indicates that these T cells         reacted with the tumor cells more strongly and initiated         proliferation earlier than T cells without chimeric receptor or         T cells expressing the chimeric receptor PD-1:CD28^(tm).     -   2 upper lines (green) for TCR-D115/PD-1^(tm):BB     -   2 center lines (red) for TCR-D115/PD-1:CD28^(tm)     -   2 lower lines (blue) for TCR-D115/mock (control)

FIG. 6 : SK-Mel23 human melanoma cells expressing the peptide-MHC complex (pMHC) for TCR-D115 and TCR-T58 T cells (HLA-A2/tyrosinase) were injected s.c. into the flank of immuno-deficient NSG mice. CFSE-labelled TCR-D115 T cells without co-receptor expression (Mock) and those expressing the chimeric receptor PD-1^(tm):BB were injected intratumorally into established xenografts (802 mm3, SEM±83, ca. 17 days). Tumor volume was measured before T cell injection and on day 2 and 7 after injection using caliper: Tumor volume was calculated using the modified ellipsoid formula; volume=(length×width²)×0.52. Mice were sacrificed and tumors were dissociated into single cell suspension and T cells per tumor were counted by for flow cytometry (CD45⁺ cells (g tumor). N=3 mice per time point and T cell. As shown in A) TCR-D115/PD-1^(tm):BB T cells reached much higher intratumoral cell numbers on day 2 than T cells without chimeric receptor, and numbers were still elevated at day7. Concomitantly with higher cell numbers, TCR-D115/PD-1^(tm):BB T cells achieved good tumor control with reduction in tumor volume compared to starting volume at day 2, and still better tumor control at day 7 (mean fold-change in tumor volume of 1.7 compared to 2 at day 7) (B).

FIG. 7 : Projected effects of CD40L:28 chimeric proteins expressed in human T cells.

-   -   1) cis-activity-supportive effect on transgene-expressing T         cells: Ligation of the fusion protein on T cells induces CD28         signaling and thus supports TCR signals, CTL effector function,         and survival, leading to better tumor killing. 2) trans-effect         on antigen presenting cells (APC): CD40 activation on APCs will         stimulate APC to secrete cytokines (IL-12) and chemokines that         will enhance CTL effector function. 3) trans-effect on         endothelium: ligation of CD40 expressed on tumor endothelium         will cause endothelial apoptosis, thus destroying the tumor's         vascular support. 4) trans-effect on tumor cells: ligation of         CD40 expressed on tumor cells will cause tumor cell apoptosis.

FIG. 8 : 3 different constructs are created with different linker and orientation of the domains.

-   -   1) CD40LFc:28; 2) CD40LFil:28; 3) CD40L:28i

FIG. 9 : Expression characteristics of CD40L:28 constructs on human T cells after stable retroviral transduction.

-   -   Human T cells were transduced retrovirally to express the         chimeric proteins, and surface protein expression was analyzed         on day 7 and day 17. While surface expression was detected on         day 7, expression vanished until day 17 concomitant with T cells         reaching a resting state (FIG. 9A). Surface expression was again         achieved after TCR-specific activation (FIG. 9B). Thus, these         chimeric proteins exhibit inducible surface presence in a manner         that fits with when and where the T cell support is required.

FIG. 10 : Chimeric CD40L:28 proteins expressed on T cells can activate B cells (trans-effect).

-   -   T cells were co-cultured with primary B cells at 1:1 ratio for         24 h. Thereafter, cells were harvested and analyzed for CD86 and         Fas by flow cytometry. Bars depict the mean fluorescence         intensity of analyzed marker on B cells. The CD40L-ECD of the         chimeric proteins was functionally active as demonstrated by         observed higher CD86 and Fas expression on B cells. Similar         effect was seen for CD83, another marker of B cell activation         (not shown). The 3 different constructs showed graded activity,         similar or higher than the native CD40L protein.

FIG. 11 : Chimeric CD40L:28 proteins expressed on TCR-T58 T cells support T cell function (cis-effect).

-   -   TCR-T58 transgenic T cells without chimeric protein (crtl) or         TCR-T58 transgenic T cells expressing native CD40L or chimeric         proteins after retroviral transduction were co-cultured with         melanoma cell lines (SK-Mel23, FM86, positive for the TCR ligand         and CD40). A) IFN-γ was measured in 48 h co-culture         supernatants. B) Cytotoxicity against melanoma tumor cells was         measured after 4 h of co-culture (chromium release assay).         Depicted results are from 5:1 effector:target ratio. As can be         seen in both assays, T cells expressing the chimeric proteins         secreted more IFN-γ and exhibited higher cytotoxicity against         the tumor cells compared to ctrl. Thus, the CD28-ICD of the         chimeric proteins is functionally active, i.e. enhancing         effector activity of chimeric protein expressing T cells.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples. Yet, the examples and specific embodiments described therein must not be construed as limiting the invention to such specific embodiments

EXAMPLES

Plasmids Encoding Chimeric Receptors

Chimeric receptor sequences were ordered at Geneart, Life Technologies. They were delivered as a lyophilized powder and dissolved in nuclease-free water at a concentration of 0.5 μg/μl. For amplification TOP10 or MACH1 E. coli were chemically transformed with the Geneart constructs, following standard plasmid preparation methods.

Electroporation of Human Primary T Cells with ivtRNA

Chimeric receptor sequences were cloned into pGEM for ivtRNA preparation. Cloning into the pGEM vector (provided by S. Milosevic, Medigene GmbH, Martinsried, Germany) was achieved using HindIII or HindII and EcoRI (New England Biolabs). IvtRNA was generated from pGEM plasmids using the mMESSAGEmMACHINE Kit (Ambion) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Human primary T cells were electroporated with 20 μg ivtRNA at 900 V for 2.3 ms using Gene Pulser Xcell (Bio-Rad).

Retroviral Transduction of Human Primary T Cells

Chimeric receptor sequences were cloned into pMP71-PRE vector (Leisegang 2008, loc. Cit, for retroviral transduction). Retroviral transduction of T cells was achieved as described (Leisegang 2008, loc. cit.). Human PBMCs from healthy donors were plated into 24-well plates at a cell density of 1×106/ml per well in RPMI1640 supplemented with 10% human serum, 1% L-glutamine, 1% non-essential amino acids, 1% sodium pyruvate and 1% penicillin/streptomycin (all Invitrogen) plus 100 U/ml IL-2 (Cancernova) and activated with 5 μg/ml OKT3 (provided by E. Kremmer, Helmholtz Center Munich, Germany) and 1 μg/ml anti-CD28 (BD Pharmingen) for 2 days.

Amphotrophic chimeric receptor-encoding retroviruses were generated as described (Leisegang at al., Clin Cancer Res (2010), 16(8): 2333-2343) using TransIT®-LT1 Reagent (Mirus) according to the manufacturer's protocol. Virus supernatant was harvested after 48 h and bound to RetroNectin® (10 μg/ml, Takara) coated plates by centrifugation.

PBMCs, which were activated for 2 days, were added to virus-coated plates for 24 h, then split to freshly virus-coated plates and cultivated for another 3 days. Transduced PBMCs were transferred to uncoated plates and cultivated for at least 12 additional days reducing the amount of IL-2 to 50 U/ml. Receptor expression was determined at day 12 after transduction using anti-PD-1 antibody (BioLegend).

Cell Cultures

HEK/Tyr and HEK/Tyr/PD-L1 were generated by transducing HLA-A2+ HEK293 cells to express tyrosinase (HEK/Tyr) or tyrosinase and PD-L1 (HEK/Tyr/PD-L1). After transduction, HEK293 cells were single-cell cloned and clones selected for comparable HLA-A2 and tyrosinase expression. SK-Mel23 (gift from M. C. Panelli, NIH, Bethesda, USA), HEK/Tyr and HEK/Tyr/PD-L1 were grown in RPMI-1640 supplemented with 1% L-glutamine, 1% non-essential amino acids, 1% sodium pyruvate, 1% penicillin/streptomycin (RMPI basic) plus 12% FCS.

Multi-Parameter Flow Cytometry to Determine Chimeric Receptor Expression and T Cell Proliferation

Flow cytometry analysis was performed on a LSRII (BD). Cells were stained in PBS (Invitrogen) supplemented with 2% human serum, 0.1% sodium azide and 2 mM EDTA (both Sigma-Aldrich). Expression of human chimeric receptors and transgenic TCRs was analyzed using anti-CD3-PE-Cy7, anti-mouse TCRβ-constant region-PB (both BioLegend), anti-CD4-APC-A780, anti-PD-1-APC (both eBioscience), anti-CD8-V500 (BD) and 7-AAD (Sigma-Aldrich).

HEK293 cells were analyzed using anti-HLA-A2 (ATCC HB54) plus anti-mouse IgG1-A488 (Invitrogen), anti-PD-L1-FITC (BD), anti-tyrosinase (Upstate) plus anti-mouse IgG2a-A647 (Invitrogen) and 7-AAD.

T cells after injection into xenograft tumors were analyzed using CFSE, anti-CD45-PE-Cy7, anti-CD8-PB (BD), CD4-APC-A780, anti-PD-1-APC and 7-AAD. CD45+ leukocytes were selected and CFSE intensity was analyzed in CD8⁺, CD4⁺ and dbl− cells after gating on viable and single cells. Data were analyzed using FlowJo 8.8.7 software.

Co-Cultures and Cytokine Assays to Assess Effects of Fusion Proteins on T Cells

TCR-T58 or TCR-D115 transgenic human T cells were electroporated with ivtRNA or transduced with retroviral vectors to express chimeric receptors, then cultured with HEK/Tyr or HEK/Tyr/PD-L1 cells at a 1:2 ratio. Co-culture supernatants were harvested after 16 h and analyzed by sandwich ELISA (BD) or Bio-Plex (Bio-Rad) according to the manufacturer's protocol.

Since the transduced TCRs T58 and D115 are only functional in CD8⁺ T cells and the CD8⁺/CD4⁺ T cell ratio varied between experiments, the amount of measured cytokine was normalized to the percentage of TCR⁺CD8⁺ T cells within the cell suspension (determined by flow cytometry). The following formula was applied:

NSG Mice

NSG mice were obtained from Charles River. NOD/scid IL2Rgnull (NSG) mice were bred on the genetic background of non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice characterized by reduced innate immunity. NSG mice carry the prkdcscid mutation, a loss-of-function mutation in the PRKDC gene, leading to defective repair of DNA strand breaks during V(D)J recombination in the development of B and T cells. This severe combined immunodeficiency (scid) is characterized by a major reduction of T and B cells. Additionally, NSG mice carry a null mutation in the IL-2 receptor gamma chain (IL2Rgnull) blocking NK cell differentiation. The impairment of innate immunity and absence of adaptive immunity render NSG mice a good model system for adoptive T cell therapy of human tumor xenografts.

Human Melanoma Xenograft Model

Animal experiments were approved by the local authorities and performed according to the legal regulations. 7-11 weeks old, male mice were injected s.c. with 5×106 HLA-A2+ tyrosinase⁺ human melanoma cells SK-Mel23 (gift of Monica C. Panelli, NIH, Bethesda, USA). This melanoma line was selected because it expresses PD-L1/L2 as well as HLA-A2 and tyrosinase, which are required to form the ligand for TCR-D115 and TCR-T58 (Wilde et al., Blood (2009), 114: 2131-2139). T cells expressing TCR-D115 were selected for the mouse experiment as they can recognize SK-Mel23 with low avidity which is not sufficient to eradicate established tumors.

Tumors were grown for about 16 days until they reached a size of 802 mm³ (SEM=±83). Tumor size (mm³) was calculated using the formula for determining ellipsoid volumes: π/6× length×width×height.

Proliferation of TCR-D115 T Cells in the Tumor Milieu of Human SK-Mel23 Xenografts

Cell tracer dyes, i.e CFDA-SE, are used to assess cell proliferation. They permeate cell membranes and are converted to fluorescent carboxyfluorescein succinimidyl esters (i.e. CFSE). With each cell division the fluorescence intensity of CFSE is halved allowing monitoring of T cell proliferation.

Here, TCR-D115 T cells without or with chimeric receptor expression were labeled with 0.15 μM CFDA-SE for 8 minutes at 37° C. The reaction was stopped with FCS, T cells were washed twice with PBS and re-suspended in PBS at a concentration of 10×107 cells per ml. 50 μl of T cell suspension were injected i.t. into established s.c. SK-Mel23 xenografts (802 mm³, SEM=±83).

Tumors were harvested 1, 2, 4, 6 and 11 days after i.t. injection. Single cell suspensions were prepared by mechanical and enzymatic digestion (Prinz et al., J Immunol (2012), 188: 5990-6000) and used for flow cytometry analysis.

Chromium Release Assay

⁵¹Cr-labeled melanoma cells were used as targets at a constant cell number of 2000 cells per well in 96-well V-bottom plates. Experiments were performed with duplicate measurements of four-step titrations of effector cells. In parallel wells, target cells were incubated without T cells to determine the spontaneous release of [51Cr]. Supernatants were harvested after 4 h and transferred to counting plates (PerkinElmer) for cpm measurements. The maximal cpm was determined by directly transferring labeled target cells to the counting for cpm measurements. The percent of specific lysis was calculated as follows: % specific lysis=(experimental cpm−spontaneous cpm)/(maximal cpm−spontaneous cpm)×100.

Statistics

Statistical tests, as indicated in the figure legends, were performed using GraphPad Prism 6 software.

Results

Results are shown in the Figures. 

1. A fusion protein comprising (a) an extracellular domain of PD-1 at its N-terminus; (b) a PD-1 transmembrane domain; and (c) an intracellular domain of 4-1BB at its C-terminus.
 2. The fusion protein of claim 1, further comprising a CD3ζ domain.
 3. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said extracellular domain does not comprise a linker or a hinge domain.
 4. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said PD-1 extracellular and/or PD-1 transmembrane domain is a human PD-1.
 5. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said extracellular domain of PD-1 comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein said fusion protein exhibits PD-L1/2 binding affinity.
 6. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said intracellular domain of 4-1BB comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing the proliferation rate of a CD8⁺ T cell when retrovirally transduced into a said CD8⁺ T cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T cell with a PD-L1/L2⁺ target cell.
 7. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said PD-1 transmembrane domain comprises an amino acid sequence with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 amino acid substitutions, deletions, and/or insertions compared to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 8, wherein said fusion protein is capable of increasing secretion of IFNγ and/or IL-2 when retrovirally transduced into a CD8+ T-cell upon stimulation of said CD8⁺ T-cell with a PD-L1/2⁺ target cell.
 8. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said extracellular domain of PD-1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 9. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said intracellular domain of 4-1BB comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 10. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein said PD-1 transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 8. 11. The fusion protein of claim 1, wherein (i) said extracellular domain of PD-1 comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, (ii) said intracellular domain of 4-1 BB comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 4, and (iii) said PD-1 transmembrane domain comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 8. 12. A nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of claim
 1. 13. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 12, wherein the nucleic acid molecule comprises the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 23. 14. A vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim
 12. 15. A host cell comprising (i) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising: (a) an extracellular domain of PD-1 at its N-terminus; (b) a PD-1 transmembrane domain; and (c) an intracellular domain of 4-1BB at its C-terminus, or (ii) a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule.
 16. The host cell of claim 15 which is a CD8⁺ T-cell.
 17. A method of preparing a host cell of claim 15 comprising: (1) transducing a host cell with said nucleic acid molecule or said vector; (2) cultivating the transduced host cell of step (1) in a suitable medium allowing growth of the cell and expression of the fusion protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecule or said vector; and (3) collecting the host cells from the medium.
 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a fusion protein of claim 1, a nucleic acid molecule encoding said fusion protein, a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, and/or a host cell comprising said nucleic acid molecule or said vector.
 19. A method for treating chronic viral infection comprising administering to a patient a host cell comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein of claim 1 or a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.
 20. A kit or kit-in-parts comprising a fusion protein of claim 1, a nucleic acid molecule encoding said fusion protein, a vector comprising said nucleic acid molecule, and/or a host cell comprising said nucleic acid molecule or said vector. 